Robot sampler

Experimental scientists tend not to be interested in robotic samplers, even those with attitude instead they want software that will solve problems. For them, AI tools may be of considerable value as problem solvers. In this book, we explore such uses. 

The apphcations described here illustrate the wide range of uses for robotic systems. This chapter is not intended to he exhaustive there are many other examples of successful applications, some of which are referenced below. For instance, Brodach et al. [34] have described the use of a single robot to automate the production of several positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals and TTiompson et al. [3S] have reported on a robotic sampler in operation in a radiochemical laboratory. Both of these apphcations have safety imphcations. CHnical apphcations are also important, and Castellani et al. [36] have described the use of robotic sample preparation for the immunochemical determination of cardiac isoenzymes. Lochmuller et al. [37], on the other hand, have used a robotic system to study reaction kinetics of esterification. 

Classical liquid-liquid and liquid-solid extractions are recently receiving additional examination, as new injection techniques for GC have made very simple, low-volume extractions feasible. Recently, several commercial systems for large-volume liquid injections (up to 150 pL all at once, or up to 1 to 2 mL over a short period of time) have become available. When combined with robotic sampling systems, these have become powerful tools in the trace analysis of a variety of sample types. Due to its simplicity, classical liquid-liquid extraction is often the method of choice for sample preparation. Some of the robotic samplers available for this type of analysis, such as the LEAP Technologies Combi-PAL robotic sampler, which has been licensed by several instrument vendors, are also capable of performing automated SPME and SHE. 

A second strategy relies on parallel experimentation. In this case, the same experimental step is performed over n samples in n separated vessels at the same time. Robotic equipment such as automated liquid-handlers, multi-well reactors and auto-samplers for the analysis are used to perform the repetitive tasks in parallel. This automated equipment often works in a serial fashion as, for example, a liquid handler with a single dispensing syringe filling the wells of a microtiter plate, one after another. However, the chemical formation of the catalyst or the catalytic reaction are run at the same time, assuming that their rate is slow compared to the time needed to add all the components. The whole process appears parallel for the human user whose intervention is reduced. 

Automated injectors are often used when large numbers of samples are to be run. Most designs involve the use of the loop injector coupled to a robotic needle that draws the samples from vials arranged in a carousel-type auto-sampler. Some designs even allow sample preparation schemes such as extraction and derivatization (chemical reactions) to occur prior to injection. 

Figure 10 Modem robotic TLC apparatus (AR2I). 1. Robotic arm ORCA, 2. auto-sampler, 3. sampler applicator As30.DESAGA, 4. densitometer CD 60-DESAGA, 5. IBM-PC compatible, 6. printer, 7. oven, 8. OPD system, 9. classical tank, 10. plate holder, 11. finger holder.

Applied Physics Corporation s Bulletin 210 describes the Cary Auto-Sampler, which transfers samples to and from a measurement cell in a spectrophotometer and has a capacity of 180 samples. Used in conjunction with a repetitive scan accessory and a timing device, this provides a degree of automation which is a big step in the direction of an analytical robot. 

Photography of macrofauna plus collecting of macro/ microfauna/ meiofauna by robotic arm or slurp sampler and deployment of cores depending on set up... 

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